The vanity is done. Oh my goodness, I can't believe it myself. Just look at it all innocent and pretty. This beauty was a beast in my design mind. I hmmm'd and hmmm'd and hmmm'd and tried this, then that, then this again. I sanded, stripped, re-sanded and then sat. After days of agonizing and slumping on the floor in front of it staring at propped up paint and knobs all over the place, I warily forged ahead with some ideas remembering that I can always redo it. Hate to do that, but it alleviates the stress of uncertainty enough to unfreeze me. How do I spell relief? D-o-n-e.

Aside from a bit of tweaking on the back, which I will wrap up as soon as I finish a custom order, it is ready to grace your space!

Painted in ivory chalk paint, I meticulously waxed in clear, dark and white, wanting to portray the antiqueness of it through the use of the dark wax, but keep it bright and light with the white wax layered over it. I also applied two coats of polycrylic to the three top surfaces before any waxing. The original wooden pulls are painted in a teal and soft aqua chalk paint and I added the center knobs. They were given the same waxing techniques. I lined the drawers with beautiful toile material which coordinates perfectly with the beige, cream and teal tones.

This vanity, though it put me through the wringer design-wise, has been a blast to work on. The craftsmanship is outstanding and I just loved watching it come back to a fresh life as such a fine piece deserves. Thanks for your patience on this one, I know it took a while, but I wanted to do it justice because in its simplicity there is great charm and character.

The screws to mount the mirror are not down because I do not want to keep undoing and redoing them. So for now it is only set in place.On with the show:

Taking these indoors is a challenge as usual. The light kept reflecting off the glass knobs so as you scroll down, you will see better shots of the knobs. I left one mirror picture untouched so you could see the quality of it. For all the rest, I tried to spare you the reflections of me and my house. Check out the precious detail of the mirror support. Curvy and awesome.

This is an antique, four drawer, cedar lined armoire/chifferobe with original sunken wooden pulls. It is an amazing, solid piece with the great craftsmanship typical of yesteryear construction from the roll trim top to the curve-carved feet. You may recall me stating in the teaser that I was confused about which wax to use. Well, I stayed confused. What do I do in such times of brutal indecision? Use all possible choices.

Yes, that's correct. I used all three waxes - clear, dark and white. So on went the first coat of clear wax. I could not shake off my original vision of it in the beautiful watery color with a white-washed effect. So next came a testing of dark wax to rule it in or out. Too dark. Tested the white. Too white. So I rubbed on the white wax all over to get a better idea of tones. But, after applying it, I needed to tone down the white a smidge. It needed to be one notch less white. So, on went a light rubbing of dark wax. Then I wanted to be sure the white was dominant so on went another rubbing of white. Then some areas seemed a bit too solid white, which can happen, so I dry brushed the paint over the front. Much better. However, this required another clear coat. Iyiyi.

I am so sick of waxing. For today. However, the end result is precisely how I first pictured it when it came through my front door and stood all brown and dull on my cardboard painting station. White-washed watery blue. It wears it so very well, in my meager opinion.

The decoupaging adorning the bottom is like a delicate floral lace skirt. Because I loved the print so much and thought it quite quaint for the piece, I put it in the recesses of the wooden pulls. Then I drilled holes in each center and put a little glam with diamond cut glass knobs in each one. I am just so in love with the whole thing. I also lightly distressed the edges of the body and the full bottom decoupaged cuff, allowing glimpses of the blue to sneak out from underneath like a little kid stealing a shy peek from behind the mother's skirt. To me, this piece is soft and feminine and fun. Plus extremely functional. A thought of adding a slim mirror to the door flickered across my trail of design images. Well, I will yap no more and get to the photos.

I have requested Photoshop for Christmas (Mom, that's a subliminal message for you) so that the bright, true and detailed colors can be accurately reflected online. These shots don't quite capture the white wash over the aqua as the real life piece shows it. Taking indoor photos is basically the pits. For now, here is the best I could do:

Before:

The dimensions are 61" H x 36" W x 20" D. The bottom is open deep space which stretches underneath the panel of drawers for even more storage.The perfect size to store gobs of stuff but not overwhelm a room.

The large frame is a 24" x 36" picture size with chicken wire attached instead then painted in ivory chalk paint. It is distressed to show the beautiful detail of the wood carvings and then white waxed.

The medium is an 11" x 14" frame inserted with chicken wire then chalk painted in sunny yellow and white waxed with distressing.

The chalkboard frame is 11" x 14" and painted in the same sunny yellow but distressed and finished with clear wax.

These may be viewed at Antiques & Collectibles at Fortunato Court, Sturbridge, MA. Available to grace your home.All frames may be hung vertically or horizontally.

Gone are the unsticky sticky notes frustrating your fridge, cluttering your cabinet doors and causing calamity on your counters. Gone are the holiday cards flapping in your hair then flopping to the floor every time you walk past them taped to the doorway trim. Want to say that special something to that special someone in your very own ultra-personal handwriting? Want to show off those gorgeous and thoughtful cards? I think our messages and mementos should be honored on a tasteful and chic display. What is the multi-purposed and far more decorative solution?